Chief Executive Salary in Virginia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chief Executives in Virginia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$310,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$149.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+45% vs US median
US median $213,990
State Rank
#5 of 46
4,870 employed here

How much does a Chief Executive make in Virginia?

A Chief Executive working in Virginia earns a median salary of $310,740 per year, or about $149.39 per hour. That is 45% above the national median of $213,990 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $130,000 while the top 10% make $604,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $193,700 and $434,580 a year.

Chief Executive salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$130,000$62.50
25th percentile (early career)$193,700$93.13
50th percentile (median)$310,740$149.39
75th percentile (experienced)$434,580$208.93
90th percentile (top earners)$604,090$290.43

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 5th out of 46 states and territories for Chief Executive pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$341,630
2Washington$339,810
3Illinois$331,920
4North Carolina$314,290
5Virginia$310,740

Working as a Chief Executive in Virginia

Nationally, about 204,000 people work as Chief Executives in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare Virginia pay ($310,740) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Chief Executive make in Virginia?
The median Chief Executive salary in Virginia is $310,740 per year, or about $149.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $130,000 at the entry level to $604,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Chief Executives about 45% more than the national median of $213,990. Virginia ranks 5th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Chief Executives?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $310,740 a year. About 4,870 Chief Executives are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Chief Executive salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.